Modular sectional structure

ABSTRACT

Modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for creating furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, for example tables, small tables, shelvings, expositors, and the like, or for the creation of open or closed areas, for example stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions, and the like, or for the creation of partition walls, and the like, characterized in that it comprises vertical uprights, each of which is provided in at least one position of at least one lateral fitting for the preferably removable connection of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which it can be connected with at least another vertical upright.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/IT00/00365, filed Sep. 15, 2000, which was published in the English language on Mar. 29, 2001, under International Publication No. WO 01/21046, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a modular sectional structure for various uses and applications in general, having temporary or permanent character, particularly for building boxes or stands and pavilions, etc., intended for fairs, exhibitions or the like, or for creating indoor and outdoor open or closed areas, for example creation of rooms or areas for various purposes as well as a solution for the subdivision or separation of spaces or passages of rooms, or for example useable as a structure for several applications and uses, such as for furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, for example tables, small tables for offices, expositors, shelvings, etc.

[0003] The specific structures which have been up to now intended to partially perform these functions cannot offer the advantage of practicality while at the same time meeting aesthetic requirements and they not always provide a simple solution or are also comparatively economically advantageous.

[0004] One of these structures according to the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,948, limitedly to a fastening means for tubular members, showing a channel-shaped member attached at one end to a tubular member and formed with a longitudinally extending slot. The channel's spaced apart walls, forced away by means of a spreading element such as self-tapping screw, make frictional engagement with another tubular member's inner walls, possibly provided also with a longitudinal slot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The main object of the present invention is providing a sectional structure having above all a multiplicity and versatility of uses and possibility of various utilizations according to the desired solutions and needs of the user in various and different activity fields or sectors, wherein assemblage of the constituting members can be carried out easily and quickly so that very little skill is required in the interventions for said assemblage, thus excluding or anyway reducing the need for specialized handwork and also possible suitable auxiliary equipping.

[0006] Another object is providing a solution of greater manufacturing simplicity, which nevertheless is statically suitable and reliable, and at the same time showing appraisable aesthetic features.

[0007] A further object is allowing various composition possibilities with a limited typological range of constituting members, by providing that some of these constituting members have a large field of uses and adaptability even for the same construction, that is, a single member being able to perform different functions, thus allowing various needs and necessities of the user to be satisfied and also allowing possible subsequent variations of arrangement and composition of said constituting members of the previous construction, for instance because of the user changed needs, thus avoiding in this case the difficulties of suitable changes or adaptation work.

[0008] A further object is allowing said constituting members to be quickly and repeatedly disassembled in order to be assembled again, for instance, in another place with possibly modified composition and arrangement in order to perform also a different function with respect to the previous construction according to the user's needs, with possibility of an easy transportation and moving by means of the usual transportation means.

[0009] These objects are obtained according to the invention by means of a modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for the construction of furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, for instance tables, small tables for offices, shelvings, expositors and the like or for creating open or closed areas, such as stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions and the like or for creating partition walls and the like, that comprises vertical uprights, each of which is provided, in at least one position, with at least one fitting at right angles therewith for the removable connection of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which it can be connected to at least one other vertical upright, characterized by comprising a connecting joint between said fitting at right angles with an upright and a transversal member, said joint comprising a first tubular joining portion integral with the upright and a second tubular joining portion, coaxial with the first one and integral with the transversal element, as well as an expansion pin partially insertable with the ends thereof into said tubular portions and radially expandable by means of a screw for opening complementary portions thereof and longitudinally matchable and screwed in accessible way in a median collar of the expansion pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0011] In the drawings:

[0012] FIGS. 1 to 4 show elevational views of some types of uprights according to the invention;

[0013]FIGS. 1a, 2 a, and 3 a are views from the top of the uprights according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

[0014] FIGS. 5 to 8 show some types of crosspieces of the structure according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 9 shows a perspective view with cutaway portions of a type of joint with expansion pin of the structure according to the invention;

[0016]FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another type of pliers joint of the structure according to the invention;

[0017] FIGS. 11 to 14 show perspective views of some examples of table structures, made according to the invention;

[0018]FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show perspective exploded views of further embodiments of table structures according to the invention;

[0019] FIGS. 18 to 20 show perspective views of some embodiments of structures according to the invention having an arched conformation;

[0020] FIGS. 21 to 35 show in elevation further types of uprights according to the invention;

[0021]FIGS. 21a to 35 a are views from the top of the uprights according to FIGS. 21 to 35;

[0022] FIGS. 36 to 47 show perspective views of some types of panels used as transversal members in the structures according to the present invention;

[0023] FIGS. 48 to 53 show in perspective view some embodiments of structures made according to the invention, formed of some of the uprights according to FIGS. 21 to 35 and of some of the panels according to FIGS. 36 to 47;

[0024] FIGS. 54 to 66 show perspective views of some embodiments of panels of the structure according to the present invention;

[0025] FIGS. 67 to 71 show perspective views of some embodiments of constructions, such as confined areas, boxes, stands and the like, made according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] With reference to the drawings, the structure according to the invention, suitable for various uses and applications, comprises in modular coordination, members which are statically suitable for performing upright function and provided with crosspieces or lateral fittings intended to be associated and suitable for allowing union with structural members for the connection of at least two uprights, so that according to their position with respect to the upright and to their distance, various configurations and geometrical combinations can be obtained, with wide composition possibilities according to the desired solution, since said uprights and crosspieces are modularly conformed so as to form altogether junctions having two, three or four ways, so as to allow couplings with other structural members in different directions, by providing for means for joining together and reciprocally fixing said different members, so as to allow the assemblage of the whole structure with easy, simple and quick repetitive operations, and being the so conformed structure suitable for allowing easy variations and modifications of the composition and with the possibility of a likewise easy, simple and quick disassemblage, re-assemblage and re-use of the components of said structure.

[0027] The structure comprises uprights, provided in appropriate typological variability, as a function of the position of lateral fittings 200 and their number, of the angular arrangement in the same horizontal plane, preferably at 90° from each other or multiples thereof, of the distance from the upper and lower end of the uprights, of the vertical distance between them and all that with reference to the type of transversal member to be associated and therefore with reference to the various employment necessities. This concept and these variables give rise therefore to a number of embodiments, of which some examples are illustrated in the sheets of the accompanying drawings.

[0028]FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and corresponding FIGS. 1a, 2 a, 3 a illustrate a type of upright, respectively 101, 102 and 103, whose upper portion is provided with fittings or pairs of fittings 200, which are superposed and shortly spaced, arranged in a horizontal plane angularly spaced from each other, particularly by 90°, in order to form junctions having two, three and four ways respectively.

[0029] Uprights 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108 of FIGS. 21 to 25 and respective views of FIGS. 21a to 25 a show pairs of fittings 200 at a relatively small distance from the upper end, whereas the other fittings or lower pairs of fittings 200 are arranged at a certain distance from the lower end, possibly vertically aligned or staggered if in several superposed rows, in order to give rise to junctions having two, three ways and again two, three and two ways respectively.

[0030] The types of uprights 109, 110, 111, 112 and 113 of FIGS. 26 to 30 have lateral fittings or fitting pairs 200 substantially near to the upper end, whereas the other fittings or lower fitting pairs 200 are provided at a relatively short distance from the lower end, possibly vertically aligned or staggered if in several superposed rows, in order to respectively determine junctions having two, three ways and again two, three and two ways respectively. Similarly, FIGS. 31 to 35 and respective FIGS. 31a to 35 a show other types of uprights 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118 wherein the lateral fittings 200 are positioned in a various way in order to give rise to junctions having two, three ways and again two, three and two ways respectively.

[0031] All the uprights are preferably tubular and into their lower ends are insertable, according to the cases, a supporting foot 201 (FIG. 1) or a preferably spinning and/or brakable roller 202 (FIG. 4).

[0032] To said uprights are associated, by means of fittings 200, transversal members having different conformations, for instance straight, or curved, in particular arched, preferably horizontally, provided in suitable dimensional range and typology, according to the needs of use.

[0033] In FIG. 5 the transversal member consists of a lattice crosspiece 301 longitudinally provided with two parallel tubular bars 302, whereas in FIG. 6 it consists of a plate-shaped member 303 having holes and provided again with similar longitudinal bars 304, in FIG. 7 it consists of a curved lattice crosspiece 305 with relevant longitudinal bars 306, or it may consist in a crosspiece having the shape of a bar 307 (FIG. 8) which can have any profile in transversal cross-section, for example round or polygonal, and is preferably tubular.

[0034] One type of transversal member can consist in a panel which can extend substantially over the whole height of the upright or at least over the main part of the upright height.

[0035] Some embodiments of said panel transversal member are shown in FIGS. 36 to 47 and 54 to 66.

[0036] Said panels can be provided continuous, such as for example panels 308 and 309, in the version provided with holes, such as in panels 310 and 311, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, which are straight, or also in the curved version, such as in panels 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 331, 332. Said panels are different from each other, for dimensional features and also for the typology of the holes which can have any arrangement and pattern and size, and therefore also different from the illustrated ones.

[0037] Each panel is strengthened by a perimetrical frame or is carried by the same, and this frame can be provided on the side of the panel which is in sight (front side) and/or on the opposite side (back side) of the panel itself.

[0038] Each frame of the panel comprises two bars 350 (FIG. 36) rectilinear or arched according to the above mentioned versions, preferably horizontal and parallel to each other, provided on the same side of the panel and connected by means of two other bars 351 (FIG. 36) preferably vertical and parallel to each other, provided on the same side of horizontal bars 350 or on the opposite side of the panel. This is determined also by the use needs and by aesthetic needs of the desired construction, being necessary to provide in some cases fittings turned towards the internal side, such as with panels 312, 313, 314, 315, 331, or towards the external side in the other panels illustrated as embodiments.

[0039] Said transversal members can be associated to the uprights by virtue of unbendable connecting joints which can be used at lateral fittings 200.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a type of connecting joint between a lateral fitting of an upright and a transversal member comprises a first tubular joining portion, integral with the upright, and a second tubular joining portion, which is coaxial to the first portion and integral with the transversal member, for example bar 302 of member 301, as well as an expansion pin indicated as a whole with 340, partially insertable with its ends into said tubular portions and radially expandable, by means of a screw 341 for opening portions thereof 340′ and 340″ which are complementary to each other and longitudinally matchable and screwed in accessible way in a median collar of expansion pin 340.

[0041] In the embodiment of FIG. 10 another type of connecting joint between a lateral fitting of an upright and a transversal member comprises a joining clip indicated as a whole with 342 with a pair of jaws 342′ and 342″ which can be tightened and blocked, for instance to the upright, or to bars of the transversal member, by means of a tightening screw 343, at least one of the jaws, in particular jaw 342′, being provided with a tang insertable in a tubular joining portion for instance of the transversal member.

[0042] According to one feature of the invention, constructions which can extend vertically are allowed, since two or more uprights are insertable one in the other so as to form a correspondingly longer upright, or extend longitudinally with transversal members having possibly a different length and particularly panels having different vertical and/or horizontal extension, or two or more superposed rows of uprights can be provided, reciprocally connected by means of transversal members formed in particular of flat or curved panels, in particular for forming walls having corresponding height, equippable on one or both sides with accessories (not shown), with superposition of panels on panels.

[0043] According to a feature of the invention said structure comprising the above described components allows the assembly of constructions, such as furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, for example tables, small tables for offices, shelvings, expositors, etc., or for creating open or closed areas, for example stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions, etc., or for creating partition walls, etc.

[0044] Some embodiments of said constructions are shown, for example, in FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 such as tables, respectively 401, 402, 403 and 404, with relevant working surfaces using the types of upright of FIGS. 1 and 2, whereas FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show other types of tables 405, 406, and 407 with relevant shelf accessories, 408, 409, 410, 411 respectively and again using the uprights substantially of the type of FIG. 1.

[0045]FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 show embodiments relevant to reception tables 412, 413, 414, having curved conformation, comprising transversal members 305 (FIG. 7) and 301 (FIG. 5) and using uprights substantially of the type of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0046]FIGS. 48, 49 and 50 show further embodiments of structures according to the invention, consisting in reception tables 415, 416 and 417 comprising uprights of the type of FIGS. 21 to 30, with straight panels provided with holes of FIGS. 38 and 39, crosspieces of FIG. 5.

[0047]FIGS. 51, 52 and 53 show other embodiments consisting in curved reception tables 418, 419 and 420 comprising uprights of FIGS. 31 to 35, crosspieces 305, bars 307, flat and curved panels provided with holes of FIGS. 38 to 47.

[0048]FIGS. 67, 69, 70 and 71 show further embodiments consisting in creations such as stands, whereas FIG. 68 shows an exposing structure, all said embodiments comprising panels of FIGS. 36 to 47 and FIGS. 54 to 66.

[0049] In said embodiments the above mentioned panels form curtain walls, partition walls of rooms, subdivision of passages of rooms, etc., equippable on both sides so that it is possible to apply accessories (not shown) such as shelves, brackets, etc., all in modular coordination and in harmony with the preceding creations, such as tables, small tables, etc.

[0050] It must be specified that the connecting joints between the lateral fittings and transversal members can consist of male-female fittings.

[0051] From the above it is apparent that the invention is not limited to the embodiments herewith described and illustrated by way of a non limiting example, but it can be widely changed and modified as a whole and in the particulars thereof, according to the specific needs and convenience of manufacture and use, above all from a constructive point of view and within the limits of the technical and functional equivalents, without leaving the information principle above explained and claimed in the following.

[0052] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A modular sectional structure, particularly suitable for creating furniture pieces, furniture complements or the like, such as tables, small tables for offices, shelvings, expositors, and the like, or for creating open or closed areas such as stands, boxes for fairs, exhibitions, and the like, or for creating partition walls, and the like, comprising vertical uprights (101-117) each of which is provided in at least one position with at least one fitting (200) at right angles therewith for the removable connection of at least one horizontal transversal member, by which it can be connected with at least another vertical upright, characterized by comprising a connecting joint between said fitting (200) at right angles with an upright and a transversal member (302), said joint comprising a first tubular joining portion integral with the upright and a second tubular joining portion, coaxial with the first one and integral with the transversal element, as well as an expansion pin (340) partially insertable with the ends thereof into said tubular portions (200, 302) and radially expandable by means of a screw (341) for opening complementary portions (340′, 340″) thereof and longitudinally matchable and screwed in accessible way in a median collar of the expansion pin (340).
 2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said connecting joint comprises a joining pliers (342) with a pair of jaws (342′, 342″) which can be tightened and blocked, for instance to the upright (101-117), or to perimetrical bars of the transversal member, by means of a tightening screw (343), at least one of the jaws being provided with a tang insertable in a tubular joining portion for instance of the transversal member. 